Short Report – October 2014

In the second of my reports to you as your president, I wish to emphasise a few points which I consider are the hallmarks of good relationships with you, the members. Firstly, we must be able to provide a service to you by keeping you informed of the issues of the day which the Committee of the Association has expressed an interest in on your behalf. Secondly, we must be able to assist our members with any problems they may have regarding confirmation of their service details. From memory, this has happened more times than enough, much to the consternation of the member(s) concerned. Thirdly, we must have every means available to effectively communicate with our members. While the electronic media might be fine and well for those who have declared they have it, all the members with whom I’ve had contact with recently - even those with electronic media - have welcomed the ‘hard copy’ back with much enthusiasm. This trend is also reflected in the 200 plus turn-around in our numbers, and a pick-up in the marketing side of the association’s affairs.

In regards to the first of these matters which has only recently been brought to the current Committee’s attention. On 6 October, we were alerted to various quasi-autonomous organisations in Western Australia which have expressed their intentions to explore the wrecks of HMAS Sydney 2 and HSK Kormoran. Not only do they want to take three dimensional photographs, but they also want to do seismic probes, take scrapings and material samples, and generally disturb what can only be described as war graves. After due consideration and much discussion, the Committee, acting on your behalf, have expressed opposition to such actions. Should members wish to express their disapproval or support for such a venture, the forthcoming service commemorating the action between HMAS Sydney 2 and HSK Kormoran at the Shrine of Remembrance, on 19 November, would be an ideal time to express their view either way.

With reference to the second point raised above, all 150+ ‘Birdies’ from 725 and 817 Squadron, who were embarked in Sydney 3 as HMAS Sydney Flight, are now recorded on the Nominal Roll as such. When referencing the Roll in recent times, only one, Sub Lt T K Rieck, was recorded as having served in Sydney as a pilot attached to 817 Squadron, HMAS Sydney Flight. Took a bit of time, but it was worth the effort in the long run, and proved the worth of this Association having accurate records.

On 23 October, in company with Senior Vice-president Lee Andrews, Vice-president Fred Mcleod Dryden, and Life-member Gary Taylor, I have attended the passing-out parade of Shipp Division at Recruit School, HMAS Cerberus. This Association presents the Recruit School Award for Leadership Potential. On this occasion, the award went to Recruit Aviation Technician Avionics (AVT) Benjamin Alex Trayling. I have taken the liberty on behalf of the Association, to send the following to the Divisional Officer, Lt. Melissa Cowling RAN, Congratulations on a very fine turn-out from Shipp Division last night, it must give you a great sense of satisfaction to know that you and your team have had such an influence on so many young people in such a relatively short time. On behalf of the four of us from the HMAS Sydney & VLSV Assoc. may we just say BZ on a job well done.

As members might not be aware, the Recruit School Divisions are now named after sailors killed in action or perished while on duty, with Shipp Division named after Leading Air-crewman Noel Ervin Shipp, killed in action, 31 May 1969, while serving with RAN Helicopter Flight - Vietnam (EMU Squadron).

On another matter more concerned with the health and welfare of those of us with Vietnam service, I have, in conjunction with the National President of the Naval Association, Mr Russell Pettis, recently approached the Minister for Veterans Affairs regarding what we now colloquially term ‘the potable water factor’. As members may remember, it has always been my intention to attempt to have several Statements of Principle (SOP) changed to reflect this factor. This of course is due to exposure to dioxins via drinking water while serving in HMA ships during the Vietnam era.

The United States National Academy of Science - Institute of Medicine (IOM), in their 2012 report of nearly 1,000 pages, states that there is ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Limited or Suggestive’ evidence that at least 18 diseases can now be attributed to exposure to dioxins during Vietnam service. Based on IOM reports dating back to 1994, and other medical/scientific research, it is my contention that the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) need to investigate further into those diseases of interest, which they have thus far not been made aware of, or will not currently concede to in favour of the veteran. To the best of my knowledge and belief, nothing has changed in this regard since April 2006.

This has involved a lot of time, effort and research into the four diseases I have prioritised for investigation. Once I have assembled the information I have gathered into easily understandable form, it is my intention to have it vetted by a recognised medical professional who is far more used to the terminology and idiosyncrasies of medical science than me. On completion, and taking into account their recommendations, I will then submit each request to the RMA for further investigation and, hopefully, acceptance of the ‘potable water factor’ into the nominated SOP for that particular disease.

Finally, I want to thank members for their patronage in purchasing the book ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’, as the royalties from your purchase went direct to the E J Whitten Foundation for research into prostate cancer. At the last Committee meeting I gave the Hon. Secretary receipts totalling $3,240, paid thus far into this worthy cause.

Regards to all

Dr John R Carroll

President

28 October 2014